It's bitterly cold & lonely
In this foreign windy city,
Without a coat, or hope . . .
And now without a prayer.

I could scream into the silence,
But nobody's listening.
No one can hear my voice
Above the colossal stillness.

How long do you have to exist
In order to be considered a person
With merit, kindness, & empathy?
To be deemed with enough grace
To matter to someone, anyone?

I've been lost too many times before
Wandering the universe alone
Lacking not only protection,
But also understanding.

I meandered for hours unendingly
Never finding either my way --
Or surcease from the biting wind --
Until I dropped from my misery
Slowly into the freezing snow.

Even then nothing changed:
I was still bruised & forlorn.
I was cold, lost, & hungry . . .
And invisible from any rescuers.

Sobbing heartily in desperation,
I called on God to deliver me
And show me the way home
From this city of naked strangers. . . .

I opened my eyes & sat up,
It had only been a colossal dream!
Even when I didn't know I was safe,
Jesus had protected & loved me;
Even through a desolate
& frosty twilight.

© Kris Bailey
8-7-22.